"Blackstone Valley

Recently called the “Best stop for one-stop shopping” by Money Magazine, the SBA continues to improve and build the Web site’s reputation in order to help small businesses start, grow and succeed.

SBA Announces Improved Web Site

On Eve of National Small Business Week

Site Outperforms E-Government Benchmarks for Nine Major Satisfaction Areas

WASHINGTON, DC – April 19, 2007 – One of the federal government’s best Web sites for small businesses just got better. With SBA’s National Small Business Week, April 22-28, 2007, approaching, the agency is pleased to announce improvement in one of its finest resources, www.sba.gov.

According to a recent online survey of those who visited the Web site, SBA equaled or exceeded the benchmark standards set for 111 federal government agencies as measured by ForeSee Results, Inc. and provided in the research company’s Web Site Satisfaction Performance Report to SBA.

“At SBA, our goal is to help small businesses by giving them the tools they need to succeed,” said SBA Administrator Steven Preston. “Whether you need help developing a business plan, targeting clients, establishing a budget, or accessing financial assistance, the SBA Web site is the ideal place to start.”

After a concerted effort to improve all aspects of the Web site from a user-centered approach, in mid-to-late 2006, the agency outperformed standards in areas such as: design, navigation, site performance and search capabilities. It also exceeded standards for its ability to return visitors to the site and have them recommend it to others. Content, functionality and overall satisfaction either equaled or exceeded benchmarks in various survey segments.

The SBA Web site offers more than 20,000 pages of information on starting, financing, developing and managing a successful business. Topics include information on SBA-backed financial assistance, contracting opportunities, training and counseling, disaster recovery, and international trade, to name just a few. Useful links to regulatory compliance and forms through www.business.gov and numerous related key sites are also available. On average, the site sees over one million unique visitors per month.

Small businesses can access online tools such as timely advice from experts, podcasts on topical business issues and services, a library, periodic newsletter, startup guide, statistics and much more. Key contact information for local SBA District Offices, Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, SCORE Chapters and Veterans Busines s Outreach Centers nationwide and in U.S. territories, are available.

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Business.gov Helps Businesses Meet Federal Compliance Requirements

WASHINGTON DC, October 12, 2006 - A newly launched federal government Web site, Business.gov, provides business owners with a one-stop resource that searches the federal government agencies that regulate or serve businesses for compliance information or resources.

The Web site makes it easier to find information on taxes, immigration laws, workplace safety, environmental requirements and other regulations that can present challenges for small and mid-sized businesses.

"The Business Gateway Initiative through Business.gov is an important part of the President's vision of helping American businesses by providing a one-stop portal for federal resources," said Office of Management and Budget (OMB) E-Gov Administrator Karen Evans. "Business.gov is the Official Business Link to the U.S. Government and is a continuation of agencies working together to improve services to citizens and businesses through technology."

"The end goal of Business.gov is to cut through the red tape and make it easier for businesses to do business," said SBA Administrator Steven C. Preston. "This Web site will help streamline access to information and reduce federal compliance barriers to helping businesses save time and money."

Business.gov will direct businesses to the best sources, reduce compliance barriers and help avoid costly mistakes, allowing them to continue to contribute to the American economy and their communities. Business.gov is managed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in a partnership with 21 other federal agencies and is part of the President's Management Agenda.

"The new Business.gov Web site will increase regulatory compliance among businesses, particularly small businesses, while simultaneously reducing the time and effort spent in meeting those requirements," said William Kovacs, Vice President, Environment, Technology & Regulatory Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Andrew Langer, Manager of Regulatory Policy, National Federation of Independent Businesses added, "Business.gov is an essential tool in the move to make the regulatory process more understandable and accessible. It will serve the twin purposes of increasing compliance and reducing the burdens faced by America's businesses."

Small firms with fewer than 500 employees represent 99.7% of all businesses. These firms spend 45% more per employee than larger companies to comply with federal regulations including taxes and environmental requirements, according to the SBA.

Originally launched in 2004, Business.gov initially provided information on starting, growing and managing a small business. The new compliance focus is designed to better meet the needs of the business community.

A Co-operative Front For Economic Development Evolves by Paula Brouillette

A Second Chance for Golf in the Blackstone Valley by John LaPoint

World Class Support for Entrepreneurs: WPI Venture Forum

Labor Expert Paul Harrington Gives Overview of Labor Prognosis

Recent Economic Development (Besides huge new residential growth)

Centech Park is a 121-acre technology park created in North Grafton to expand two "communities' tax bases and create long term sustainable employment for the region". It is a fine example of creating a vision, commiting resources to develop industrial land within an Economic Target Area after its former use as Grafton State Hospital had been abandoned. The cooperative planning and financial efforts between the State, Shrewsbury, Grafton and WBDC follow smart growth initiatives as this region abuts an MBTA commuter rail station, is close to the Mass Pike and just minutes from I-495, I-290 and I-146. Centech Park tenants include biotechnology, research & development, light manufacturing, and other related foci, similar to a developing biopark across Rte 30 as part of Tufts initiative to produce tax revenue for the community.

.Initially,tax incentives to spur investment were incorporated into the offer, yet as tenants increase and grow, those incentives are lessening and taxes become a strong payback to the community. Both the tenants and community win by proper planning. Additional acreage, without impacts to residences, is available since a new road to Shrewsbury increases access. So, planning for the future is built-in.

The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley Millbury, Massachusetts, an 800,000-square-foot project located along Rte 146 in Millbury, Massachusetts. The Shoppes are divided into two major retail destinations, a Power Center and a Lifestyle Center. Both centers are designed to evoke a typical New England Village in detail and in scale. The New England Village concept is stronmg throughout the pedestrian-evoked design including where the architect placed a replica of an old gristmill complete with an operable water wheel. Design elements and appreciation of a nearby historic graveyard were carefully considered in developing this retail, big box mall. There is a deficit of mall space in the Valley, and placement of this mall generally followed smart growth concepts, though there have been impacts to the water wells due to blasting and there have been substantial impacts on regional small business, including Fin & Feather in Upton and throughout the Valley.

BV Chamber Offers Overview of Valley's Near Future

Link: Northern RI Chamber's 2005 Accomplishments

Links: Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce ~ Blackstone Valley Chamber ~ Worcester Chamber

VC Experts

Industry Links

Retail/Tourism

CMCVB, Mass Lodging, Mass Travel and Tourism, Mass Restaurant Assoc., Retailers Assoc., Retail Forecasting, Finard & Co.

Tourism in the Valley

Blackstone Valley Tourism/Chamber

Real Estate

NE Economic Project, UMass DonahueInstitute, National Development, Center for Urban and Regional Policy at Northeastern U.

Education/Training

Mass Dept of Empl.& Training, UMass Donahue Institute, Univ of Cont Ed, Nypro Institute Online, NE Economic Project

Blackstone Daily's Career Training/ Higher Education

Manufacturing

Nat'l Assoc of Manufacturers, Associated Industries, Mass Gov Dept of Bus/Tech, Mass Mfg Ext Partnership, US Bureau of Labor Stats

Banking

Weiss Ratings, Mass Div of Banks, Mass Bankers Assoc, FDIC, Bank Rater, Advest Group

Finance / Investment

Investment Company Institute, Nat'l Venture Capital Assoc., UMass Amherst Isenberg School of Management

Technology

Mass Biomed Initiative, Mass Biotechnology Council, Mass Dept of Business & Tech, Mass High Technology Council, Mass Software Council, Mass Telecom, Natl Venture Capital Assoc., WPI BioEng Institute, IGI Group,NE Fiberoptic

Health Care

Mass Dept.of Public Health, RI Public Health, Mass Hospital Assoc, Pioneer Institute, RI Hospital Assoc, Harvard School of Public Health, BU Sch of Public Health, Mass Assoc of Health Plans

Business & Economic Development

RI Business Assistance - RI Business Links - Mass Business Assistance

WBDC - SBA, etc. - Worcester Better Business Bureau - Massachusetts Chambers of Commerce - Blackstone Valley Chamber - Corporations/ International/Exports - WPI Venture Forum - The Center for Women & Enterprise - Centech Park

Chamber's Resource List Major Players in Grafton's Centech Park Development

Mass Development Mass Development in the News

6/11/04

New Jobs Created at Centech Park in Grafton

The following are listed numbers for "jobs created" at Centech Park, as listed in the 2003 (latest) edition of the Worcester Business Development Corporation Annual Report and submitted by EDC's John LaPoint:

IDEXX: 58
Information Management Corporation: 25
Primary Colors: 30
State Street Bank: 140
Verillon: 47

Total: 300

Worcester Area Receives one of Only Five Manufacturing/Engineering Grants

The U.S. Department of Labor recently awarded a $2.9 million grant to the Central Massachusetts Regional Employment Board (REB) and the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MassMEP), in collaboration with the WPI Bioengineering Institute, Marine Ocean Technology Network and Massachusetts Telecommunications Council. The grant is one of five awarded nationwide. The 3-year grant will be used to bring advanced training opportunities to the state’s existing engineers, with a goal of strengthening manufacturing. The focus will be on assisting companies in the areas of commercialization, product development, and technology transfer.

To learn how your company can take advantage of this innovative funding opportunity, contact MassMEP, H-1B Program Manager, Gregory King, at 508 831-7020 or gregoryk@massmep.org to schedule an appointment with a program representative to provide an on-site introduction to the program.

3/2/04 Update: Martha Wetzel, Tourism Director of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce reports that the 2004 Home & Business Expo, held at Northbridge High School, was a resounding success. In fact, seven participants from the area entered the Chowder Fest contest and all had strong advocates and plenty of compliments. This year, the Chowder Fest winner selected is Pleasant Valley Country Club! Congratulations!

Also, two booths were selected for their outstanding display: Sutton's Keown Orchards for Best Customer Service (and apples) and Pawtucket's Slater Mill for Best Non-profit.

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From the Shoppes at Blackstone in Millbury's opening to the quaint specialty shops that delight our region, the Valley offers diverse shopping opportunities, economic development with both new and redevelopment options and areas of "clean" industry, especially successful in Grafton. Some communities are facing challenges with industry they would prefer not to see in town, but citizen groups have effectively monitored these permits thus far.

Small business is the cornerstone of the Blackstone Valley. As larger national chains move into the region, it is critical to continue support of the hard working, trustworthy entrepreneurs while blending the larger businesses who add jobs and opportunities for Valley residents. There is tremendous growth and activity within the Blackstone Valley corridor with Rte 146 forging new regional alliances and proactive business meetings with Uxbridge, Northbridge, Sutton and Douglas working together to attract strong businesses.

Grafton's Economic Development Committee

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